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Type: Article
Published: 2008-05-30
Page range: 38–44
Abstract views: 51
PDF downloaded: 1

Kaurimyia gen. nov.: discovery of Apsilocephalidae (Diptera: Therevoid clade) in New Zealand

Entomology, Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries, Indooroopilly, Queensland, Australia 4068
Center for Biodiversity, Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, Illinois USA 61820
Diptera Apsilocephalidae New Zealand Kauri

Abstract

A new genus (Kaurimyia thorpei gen. et sp. nov.) of the enigmatic fly family Apsilocephalidae (Asiloidea) is described from New Zealand. Kaurimyia thorpei gen. et sp. nov. is described and figured from male and female specimens, one of which was collected in Kauri forest near Auckland (North Island). While superficially similar to Apsilocephala Kröber, this new genus shows closer affinities to Clesthentia White (=Clesthentiella Nagatomi, Saigusa, Nagatomi et Lyneborg syn. nov.) from Tasmania based on genitalic characters such as aedeagus shape and non-articulated surstyli. Apsilocephalidae is presently known from just a few extant species in North America and Tasmania (Australia), although extinct species are recorded from the Holarctic and Oriental regions. This is the first description of the family from New Zealand.

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